Here's chapter 3! Thanks for all the great reviews, guys, and letting me know what you thought character-wise!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the plot. I don't even watch the show anymore.

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Chapter 3

It was the next day before Macy had another run in with the Lucas brothers, having managed to avoid Stella all day. Seeing as the blond was always at the brothers' (Joe's) side, there had been no chance to speak to Nick.

Halfway through the school day, Macy turned a corner at school and saw Nick headed her way. Freezing in indecision, she shifted her weight nervously. Until that moment, she had been so wanting to talk to him.

Deciding that their conversation could easily be put off, Macy clutched the book she was holding tightly to her chest and turned to scanter off. A voice behind her stopped her though, and Macy found herself turning slowly in dread to face Nick.

"Macy Misa, are you running away from one of the Lucas brothers?" Nick looked amused as he stood in front of her, "I never thought I'd see the day." Macy only stared at him with a blank-almost frightened-look on her face, not knowing what to say in response.

"Are you okay?" Nick frowned at her silence, his voice not giving away the small urge to fidget. It was no problem for him to hide the fact that seeing the petite girl before him gave him butterflies. And he'd never admit that aloud.

"Yes." Macy squeaked before clearing her throat, embarrassed and unwilling to meet his eyes before trying again, "Yes, I'm fine."

"If you're sure…" Nick didn't look convinced, but remained silent at her obviously not looking him in the eyes. There was an awkward silence a moment before he spoke again-since Macy didn't show any signs of conversation, "Just wondered because you looked a bit 'off-key'." He joked.

This tactic made her look up at him with an amused smile, cheeks looking curiously flushed, but Nick brushed it aside. The school was a bit warm today, and he refused to read into it too much.

"That's an easy one." Macy fake scoffed with a little smirk, making Nick chuckle at her catching their little game easily.

"Well, little miss know it all," he cocked his head to the side, "What's the meaning?"

"You thought I didn't look quite right-or as I should look." Macy replied with no hesitancy at all. It was just about time to rush off to yet another boring class-where she would, no doubt, be thinking about the boy standing right in front of her.

"Wow," Nick nodded slowly, "Good job."

"Thank you." Macy rolled her eyes, and stuck her tongue out at him playfully. With a smile, she began to pass him as she had originally headed that way, but Nick's voice made her turn around slightly.

"Did you figure the other one out yet?" Nick asked a bit quieter than usual, and Macy refused to believe he was really avoiding her eyes with the question. There was no chance he was blushing either. It was just warm in the school today.

"I have to get to class." Macy replied hurriedly. How was she supposed to answer that question? Of course she figured out what he meant! But the words didn't want to come out of her mouth. And there was still the small flame of hope that he had meant the words. But that was silly.

Nick watched Macy rush off and sighed. Their little game was entertaining, but he was really wondering if she had a clue. It had been quite plain, he thought, but he wasn't going to go scaring her off with explaining his feelings-at least not yet.

"So you'll be wearing this, and Kev will be wearing-" Stella sounded so absorbed in her words as her fingers traced the new designs on the page before her. It was obvious she was explaining to Joe, but he looked a little zoned out at that moment, possibly staring at her moving lips a little too much.

"Oh, great, another fashion lesson." Nick spoke up as he reached his locker that they were standing by, ignoring the sharp glare Stella shot at him. He was completely unaffected by her temper.

"You have me to thank for looking so good, Nicholas." Stella stated curtly, earning a thoughtful nod from Joe who seemed to agree. Nick simply shut his locker and shrugged at her, not feeling like arguing in the least.

"I dress myself, don't I?" he pointed out, "I don't always where what you tell me to." Shrugging again, Nick leaned against the locker behind him with a look of nonchalance.

"Yes, that you do…" Stella mused thoughtfully, narrowed her eyes slightly before she turned back to Joe, about to go on with what she was saying.

"Did I just hear you say Nick was good looking?" Kevin seemed to pop up beside the blond from nowhere, looking at Stella with raised eyebrows.

"Where you eavesdropping?" Stella demanded with a shake of her head, "That's so rude."

"I was coming over here anyways." Kevin stated flatly.

"Why is it called eavesdropping?" Joe's question came, and Nick nodded his head at the good question, but Kevin went on talking.

"So you did say Nick was good looking?" he asked, grinning at his seeming triumph until Stella glared at him.

"Of course I didn't."

"I heard it." Kevin persisted, nudging a bothered looking Joe before nodding towards Nick, who rolled his eyes in response. There was a short silence, and every extra second that crawled by that Stella didn't say anything, Nick noticed Joe look slightly more worried.

"You're all cute." Stella shrugged, flipping her drawing pad closed and looking like she was avoiding Joe's eyes. Nick chuckled to himself, noticing Joe's eyes widen slightly at her words, and Stella's slightly flushed cheeks.

"But one of us more so then the others." Kevin said it as a fact, not a question. He wasn't talking about Nick anymore, though.

"Think what you want, Kevin," Stella stated, attempting to sound indifferent and unable to resist the urge to sneak a glance at Joe. Her thoughts on whom was the best looking would be kept her herself. That was definite.

"I always knew I was better looking then Joe." Nick spoke up, deciding to help his eldest brother along a little. Leaving Kevin out of the statement seemed to go unnoticed, though, and Stella looked to be getting more flustered, Joe more fidgety.

"I didn't say that…" her tone sounded strange, and Kevin grinned at Nick in silent thanks for the help, "Why would I bother to even think of which of you was the best looking?"

"Oh, I don't know…" Kevin spoke with a hint of teasing sarcasm, "Maybe you just happen to prefer one of us," at this he glanced meaningfully at Stella to Joe and back again, "more then the other two."

"I don't know what you're implying." Stella stated firmly, her confidence coming back because of the panic she knew would come soon if she didn't take control again. These boys sure were persistent.

"Sure, you don't." Kevin winked at Stella, making her all out glare at him, not even noticing the curious look Joe had been watching her with during the entire conversation.

"Don't wink at me, Kevin Lucas." Stella snapped, grabbing her things and walking off in a huff, but the blush had returned to her cheeks despite her determined steps.

So, what does everyone think? I put a bit of Joe/Stella in there, since that's how it is in the show…who knows-maybe there will be more in future chapters. Either way, I'd love to see so many reviews like I have been! Thanks for reading!

I'd really like ideas for the "music language" for future chapters. If you have any suggestions, please let me know! I would be so thankful!